SHRP2 Project L11: Evaluating Alternative Operations Strategies to Improve Travel Time Reliability

1. SHRP2 Project L11:Evaluating Alternative Operations Strategies to Improve Travel Time Reliability Kittelson & Associates, Inc. ECONorthwest University of Washington Transportation Research Center University of Florida Transportation Center Dr. Joseph Schofer, Northwestern University Dr. Michael Meyer, Georgia Institute of Technology Write Rhetoric

2. Presentation Overview • Key project objectives and findings • Strategies and trends affecting reliability • Recommended steps to improving agency effectiveness • Mainstreaming reliability: • Implementation road map • Recommended agency path • Estimating the value of reliability

3. Project Objective • Identify and evaluate strategies to meet road user reliability needs according to: • Travel type (person vs. freight) • Travel location (urban vs. rural) • Time scenario (near-term vs. long-term) • Context for project findings and recommendations: • Degree of congestion is the overriding factor affecting reliability

4. New/Emerging Strategies • Automation/Infrastructure • Road pricing, real-time control of transit arrivals, IntelliDrive, vehicle automation, automation in truck operations • Information Technology/Data Sharing Technologies • Real-time system status and predictive models, weather detection and response, accessible vehicle probe data • Integration/Cooperation • Customized real-time multimodal routing, crash detection and clearance, real-time parking, conditions, and routing information For each strategy, provide: - description - affected travel modes - impacts on reliability - implementation cost Xxx strategies are identified

5. Trends Affecting Travel Time Reliability • Demographics • 40% population increase by 2030 • Environment • Climate is changing • Energy • Petroleum costs will rise • Technology & innovation • Energy and communication sources and costs • Freight • 90% increase in domestic tonnage • Financing • Disconnect between supply and demand

6. Effectively Integrating Reliability into an Agency • How is agency effectiveness measured? • Output measures (number of VMS signs, 511 calls, average incident duration) • Outcome measures (effect of actions on improved travel time reliability and/or reduced delay) • What issues affect agency effectiveness? • Availability of and access to appropriate resources • Control/understanding over when, where, and how disruptions occur • Knowledge/training in when and how to apply resources • Feedback on results of past performance

7. Steps to an Effective Agency Operation 1. Incorporate Systems Operations and Management (SO&M) into Institutional Architecture Four Key Elements of Institutional Architecture: System Operations and Management (SO&M) Structure Awareness Establish SO&M Structure Establish SO&M as a High-Priority Budget Item Identify Public-Private Partnership Opportunities SO&M: Application of ITS strategies to maintain and improve highway service in terms of recurring and non-recurring congestion Where does it fit in?

8. Steps to an Effective Agency Operation 2. Provide more accurate and accessible travel time information Probe vehicles and point detection Surveillance and detection Pre-trip information Real-time information Roadside messages Modified travel behavior: Departure time Mode choice Route choice Improved network capacity utilization and reliability

9. Steps to an Effective Agency Operation 3. Develop safer, more efficient, and more intelligent vehicles =

10. Steps to an Effective Agency Operation 4. Manage Incidents, Work Zones and Special Events • Pre-event • construction phasing • evacuation planning • Post-event • coordinated response • service patrols • Monitor and evaluate infrastructure to determine vulnerability

11. Steps to an Effective Agency Operation 5. Implement strategies and treatments to improve roadway performance

12. Agency Implementation Roadmap • Political steps • Educate decision makers on need to balance demand and supply • Select accountability-based performance measures • Use pricing strategies to achieve performance outcomes • Participate in demand management programs • Interagency steps • Create collaborative culture among agencies • Collect and share performance data • Encourage interaction with the private sector and trip generators • Technology steps • Collect and share data with both public and private partners • Encourage private innovation and risk-taking

13. An Agency Path to Mainstreaming Reliability • Introduce culture of service, innovation, and partnerships • Prioritize projects per performance measures • Integrate Agency Path • Mode • Jurisdiction • Functional responsibilities • Data • Public/Private Partnerships • Deploy Current & New Technologies • Integrate Technologies • Trade fuel tax for fees-for-service funding Structure Integration User Options Funding

14. Options Theoretic Approach Summary • An options theoretic approach has been developed for the valuation of travel time reliability. • This innovative approach is supported by theory and empirical estimations where travelers are willing to trade average travel time for lower travel time variability. • This approach has been successfully implemented in the travel demand model and benefit-cost analysis tool for a MPO. ECONorthwest for PSRC Transportation 2020 Travel Model and BCA runs.

15. Questions for the Audience • What are the most problematic elements of the recommended agency path? • What other steps should be included in the recommended agency path?